Comma Rules

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

Back

A comma is used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, or to clarify meaning.

Front

When should you use a comma to separate items in a list?

Back

Use commas to separate three or more items in a list to avoid confusion.

Front

How do you use commas with dates?

Back

Use a comma to separate the day of the week, month, and year, e.g., "Tuesday, July 6, 1582."

Front

What is an example of a comma separating an incomplete thought from a complete thought?

Back

"In five minutes, the building will be closed." The comma separates the introductory phrase from the main clause.

Front

Where should the comma go in the sentence: 'Fortunately the vehicle worked well'?

Back

The comma should be placed after 'Fortunately': "Fortunately, the vehicle worked well."

Front

How do you use commas to separate a city from a state or country?

Back

Use a comma before the state or country, e.g., "I live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina."

Front

What is the rule for using commas before conjunctions in a list?

Back

Use a comma before the conjunction (and, or, etc.) in a list of three or more items, e.g., "I like apples, oranges, and bananas."

Front

What is an example of a sentence that incorrectly uses commas?

Back

"I like, to go hiking fishing swimming and camping during summer." This sentence should not have commas after 'like'.

Front

When should you not use a comma?

Back

Do not use a comma when it separates a subject from its verb or when it separates two parts of a compound predicate.

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or', e.g., "I want apples, oranges, and bananas."